Congressman Lamborn- No MORE Marijuana

Press Release

Today, the United States House of Representatives voted on the MORE Act, legislation that legalizes marijuana and removes it entirely from the Controlled Substances Act. Marijuana is currently the most commonly used illicit drug, with more than 24 million Americans presently claiming to use it. This includes 20.8% of young adults aged 18-25 who have used marijuana at least once in the past month. The MORE Act would provide taxpayer dollars to the marijuana industry and makes federal grants and loans available for cannabis related service providers. It requires the Department of Justice to provide administrative services to individuals previously convicted of marijuana-related offenses. This bill also rejects the Department of Health and Human Services study that found that marijuana has been linked to schizophrenia and psychosis and can affect the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Congressman Lamborn issued the following statement:

"In Colorado, we have seen the devastating effects of marijuana. Dispensaries sit on the corners that once held churches, often down the street from schools, and our homeless population is growing by the day. Even worse, our country is in the midst of a serious drug use crisis. We cannot pass extreme and unwise legislation that will only exacerbate this problem as well as infringe upon states' rights. The MORE Act opens the floodgates to marijuana cultivation, distribution, and sale across America.

"Furthermore, this bill would retroactively expunge federal marijuana convictions, potentially leading to the early release of convicted drug traffickers. We cannot continue to allow bad actors and criminal organizations to exploit our nation's addiction crisis or endanger our youth. Even worse, the expanded use of marijuana amongst kids leads to extreme addiction rates and potentially long-term effects on the brain and mental health.

"Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat majority are not governing on behalf of the American people. With small businesses struggling and the American people in need of immediate targeted relief, Democrats are busy catering to the special interests of the marijuana industry instead of advancing bipartisan Coronavirus relief legislation, like the Paycheck Protection Program. Speaker Pelosi cannot be trusted to lead any longer. She continuously puts her liberal priorities ahead of the American people. It is past time for the House of Representatives to object to her leadership, take a stand, and once again work toward sensible legislation for the American people. This legislation does not meet that standard."

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